On Friday, Dec. 17, a couple came home to their second home in Highlands in flames.
According to Highlands Fire Department chief Ryan Gearhart, the couple came up from Tennessee and left to go to dinner.
“When the couple got back from dinner is when they saw the house full of smoke,” Gearhart said. “The entire house was a loss.”
Gearhart said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
At 8:50 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 17, a 9-1-1 call was placed, the fire department was dispatched at 8:52 p.m., and were on scene at 8:56 p.m. Gearhart said the fire was finally put out a little after midnight.
There were no human fatalities or injuries, but Gearhart said the couple’s two dogs were lost to the fire.
Though it has nothing to do with this particular blaze, Gearhart recommends residents take extra care of their home to prevent fires.
“I recommend chimneys being cleaned,” Gearhart said. “I also recommend fires, indoors or outdoors, not be left unattended. That has nothing to do with this fire, but this is a good recommendation.”
The home is located on 526 Spruce Street, which is right beside Mountain Findings, which many nearby residents originally believed was on fire, according to social media.
- By Christopher Lugo